Seeking Art, Offering Randomness

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Melted Dog, here is your story.

 

 

 

 

The One That Got Away

by Randimaxis

 

The stallion and I stood there in the circle of light cast by the lamp above us.

 

The street was deserted, thanks to the rain, and I’d managed to arrange a meeting here. It had been quite a feat, bringing the pieces of this particular case together like they had – I’d even had my life put in jeopardy – but nothing escaped my inquisitive gaze, and the light of evidence shone brightly on this one individual.

 

When he stepped into the circle, I’d already figured out what was going on. It had taken a week of diligent effort; I’d barely slept a wink during the whole of it, and was doing my utmost best to make certain I was wide awake for this. I’d need ALL my faculties straight to deal with this.

 

He stepped in closely, a look of simple interest on his muzzle.

 

“And so, we meet all the way out here?  Seriously, Miss Hollow, we could have met somewhere a little less… wet? But you said you had figured out where the portrait was – and here I am, ready to retrieve it. So please, by all means… let’s have it.”

 

I smiled; this was going to be interesting.

 

“Well, according to the facts you’d sent me, the portrait of Luna was nearly a thousand years old, commissioned by Celestia to help ease the burden of having to send her sister off into exile. It’s worth a solid fortune in bits, and there are a number of thieves who have attempted to pinch it over the years. However, not a one has ever been successful until now.”

 

The stallion sighed and rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes… do go on.”

 

I’d been expecting more of a reaction; the curator, Shelf Display, had been supposedly here for over a decade, though he had rarely been seen in public. He was known for making certain that every priceless artifact in his care was completely secure – it was certain that he’d wanted to maintain that reputation, which was why he’d hired me in the first place.

 

“When you contacted me, you’d said that you suspected somepony had already gotten it out of the gallery by now. You stated that you’d searched everywhere you could reach for it, correct?”

 

He cocked an eyebrow in question.

 

“Well, normally one would assume that would mean you also got some help to search where you couldn’t reach as well… but I assume NOTHING, Mr. Display. I searched the area as well… despite the guards’ insistence that I stay away from it. And I have to admit, the thief was quite clever; nopony else would have even noticed that the new light setup had an extra wall panel where the fusebox was… since that was where the portrait was hiding.”

 

He looked surprised; of course he did – they ALWAYS did.

 

“The thief had made a slipcover for the painting that made the backside of it appear to be just another fusebox door – and it blended in perfectly with the other two in that same spot. The thief was simply going to wait for the investigation to grow cold, then he’d just pose as a repair pony and ‘fix’ the problem, leaving two fuseboxes, and no portrait.”

 

He looked at me with surprise, and more than a little respect.

 

“Why that’s… that’s brilliant, madam! He was simply going to wait until a more opportune time to filch it… and we’d have never been the wiser, eh? Well, done and done, then. Since the painting has been located, I shall be more than happy to have it retrieved and returned to its’ proper display case. As for the culprit-”

 

I cut him off there.

 

“Yes, the culprit. That was the thing that stumped me – I interviewed everypony else at the museum, and there wasn’t a single one of them who had even the slightest of designs on that portrait. Especially with the top-notch, state-of-the-art magical security system in place. Nopone wanted to even TOUCH it, let alone steal it. That was why the thief hid it within the museum itself – according to the files, if anything enchanted leaves the museum without permission, the stolen work emits a piercing shriek until it is returned.”

 

There was a bit of a spark in his eyes as he listened; he was really getting into the explanation.

 

Good.

 

“But like I said, I interviewed everypony else… except for YOU, Mr. Display.”

 

His eyes widened a bit – and I was glad to see it.

 

“You see, I also took enough time to look over the outgoing paperwork on your desk…”

 

That was a half-truth; I’d gone through the paperwork, yes… but only because I’d fallen out while I was in his office. I’d been lucky that nopony had found me there asleep, yet I’d had ample time to peruse the in and out boxes accordingly.

 

“… and YOU had recently put in the papers necessary to allow for something to leave the museum grounds – an old Trojan statuette, so it says – so you’d be the one who would get the special spell needed to nullify the security magic around the place.”

 

The stallion tried to back off, but I kept on the offense.

 

“This was going to be your plan to smuggle the painting out of the museum, wasn’t it? You were perfectly poised to be able to get the portrait, sneak it out of here, and then?”

 

I had him dead to rights; no turning back now. I went for the reveal.

 

”Well, what WAS your plan, Mr. Display... or should I say, Harcourt Blackwater?”

 

A slow smile began to spread across the stallion’s face, and he made a grand, sweeping bow as he stared me right in the eyes.

 

“Excellent job, Miss Hollow! I dare say that I am MOST impressed with your work; nopony else even came CLOSE to figuring me out. Might I inquire as to what tipped you off?”

 

I gave a grin of my own as I moved in nice and close, making sure that he couldn’t ditch me.

 

“First, NOPONY had ever laid eyes on Shelf Display before; that automatically placed you on the ‘suspicious list’.”

 

That had been the easy part, of course… except when I nearly fell asleep listening to ‘Mr. Display’ drone on; that had been a close one.

 

“Second, you seemed to have a bit of trouble with some of the particulars in your office when we first met; it occurred to me later that the specific troubles you were having were because you were in an office filled with right-hoofed items… and you are most certainly LEFT-hoofed – hence all the trouble.”

 

Also true – I had even done my research into Harcourt, and he most decidedly WAS left-hoofed.

 

“And third, I saw the copy of the security plans on your desk the other day, regardless of how you tried to hide them. If you had indeed been Shelf Display, then you would have already memorized the museum’s layout… especially seeing as Mr. Display has been working here for twenty years, one would think the security system would be one of the things a museum curator would have ALREADY memorized.”

 

Harcourt sighed as he closed his eyes.

 

“Well, I admit I honestly believed I’d had you stumped; far be it for me to have fooled such an intellectual equal… never mind her exquisite beauty.”

 

Celestia help me - was he HONESTLY going to attempt to charm me? He may have been a handsome stallion, but I was strictly single… and I have EVERY INTENTION of staying that way.

 

I raised a hoof before he could attempt to schmooze any further.

 

“Enough. Where is the REAL Shelf Display?”

 

I wasn’t too worried; according to this thief’s record, he wasn’t prone to hurting anypony, so I rationalized that he’d probably sent him elsewhere.

 

“Oh, Mr. Display received a very TIMELY sweepstakes win, and is currently soaking up the local culture in Canterlot – all expenses paid, you know. VERY nice thing for a hard-working curator to receive.”

 

He reached forward for my hoof, took it, and planted a kiss on it. I rolled my eyes.

 

“So this is where you arrest me, and I fall upon the tender mercies of the court, correct? Or perhaps I might possibly provide YOU with something delightful and worthwhile, madam?”

 

My smile returned as I slung the hoofcuff over the hoof he was using to hold my own.

 

“You already have… Harcourt Blackwater, you are under arrest for the theft of Princess Luna’s Royal Portrait!”

He stared at the contraption locked to his hoof, then simply put on a look that spoke volumes about how much of a care he didn’t give… which, knowing the criminal mind, meant he was probably terrified.

 

“Isn’t this lovely… I assume you mean to take me in yourself?”

 

“You bet your flank.”

 

He suddenly swept me up in an embrace, and dipped me rather low – if he thought he was gonna KISS me, he had another thing-

 

“My dear, you have LOVELY eyes.”

 

I was about to smash him in the muzzle, when he suddenly pirouetted hard, spinning rapidly, and stood me back on unsteady hooves.

 

“And I do hope they’ll be watching me for quite some time yet.”

 

I shook my head, doing my best to reorient myself… and, of course, by the time the world stopped spinning, I had an empty cuff hanging from my hoof.

 

“… crud.”

 

Well, the painting was located, the mystery solved, the culprit captured… eh, two out of three ain’t bad. Besides, it’d just get added to the thief’s already lengthy rap sheet; he’d slip up at some point, and the law would be all over him.

 

I hope I could be there to see the look on his face.

 

 

 

 

I do hope you like it.  

[Melted Dog 161]

@Melted Dog, here is your story.

 

 

 

 

The One That Got Away

by Randimaxis

 

The stallion and I stood there in the circle of light cast by the lamp above us.

 

The street was deserted, thanks to the rain, and I’d managed to arrange a meeting here. It had been quite a feat, bringing the pieces of this particular case together like they had – I’d even had my life put in jeopardy – but nothing escaped my inquisitive gaze, and the light of evidence shone brightly on this one individual.

 

When he stepped into the circle, I’d already figured out what was going on. It had taken a week of diligent effort; I’d barely slept a wink during the whole of it, and was doing my utmost best to make certain I was wide awake for this. I’d need ALL my faculties straight to deal with this.

 

He stepped in closely, a look of simple interest on his muzzle.

 

“And so, we meet all the way out here?  Seriously, Miss Hollow, we could have met somewhere a little less… wet? But you said you had figured out where the portrait was – and here I am, ready to retrieve it. So please, by all means… let’s have it.”

 

I smiled; this was going to be interesting.

 

“Well, according to the facts you’d sent me, the portrait of Luna was nearly a thousand years old, commissioned by Celestia to help ease the burden of having to send her sister off into exile. It’s worth a solid fortune in bits, and there are a number of thieves who have attempted to pinch it over the years. However, not a one has ever been successful until now.”

 

The stallion sighed and rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes… do go on.”

 

I’d been expecting more of a reaction; the curator, Shelf Display, had been supposedly here for over a decade, though he had rarely been seen in public. He was known for making certain that every priceless artifact in his care was completely secure – it was certain that he’d wanted to maintain that reputation, which was why he’d hired me in the first place.

 

“When you contacted me, you’d said that you suspected somepony had already gotten it out of the gallery by now. You stated that you’d searched everywhere you could reach for it, correct?”

 

He cocked an eyebrow in question.

 

“Well, normally one would assume that would mean you also got some help to search where you couldn’t reach as well… but I assume NOTHING, Mr. Display. I searched the area as well… despite the guards’ insistence that I stay away from it. And I have to admit, the thief was quite clever; nopony else would have even noticed that the new light setup had an extra wall panel where the fusebox was… since that was where the portrait was hiding.”

 

He looked surprised; of course he did – they ALWAYS did.

 

“The thief had made a slipcover for the painting that made the backside of it appear to be just another fusebox door – and it blended in perfectly with the other two in that same spot. The thief was simply going to wait for the investigation to grow cold, then he’d just pose as a repair pony and ‘fix’ the problem, leaving two fuseboxes, and no portrait.”

 

He looked at me with surprise, and more than a little respect.

 

“Why that’s… that’s brilliant, madam! He was simply going to wait until a more opportune time to filch it… and we’d have never been the wiser, eh? Well, done and done, then. Since the painting has been located, I shall be more than happy to have it retrieved and returned to its’ proper display case. As for the culprit-”

 

I cut him off there.

 

“Yes, the culprit. That was the thing that stumped me – I interviewed everypony else at the museum, and there wasn’t a single one of them who had even the slightest of designs on that portrait. Especially with the top-notch, state-of-the-art magical security system in place. Nopone wanted to even TOUCH it, let alone steal it. That was why the thief hid it within the museum itself – according to the files, if anything enchanted leaves the museum without permission, the stolen work emits a piercing shriek until it is returned.”

 

There was a bit of a spark in his eyes as he listened; he was really getting into the explanation.

 

Good.

 

“But like I said, I interviewed everypony else… except for YOU, Mr. Display.”

 

His eyes widened a bit – and I was glad to see it.

 

“You see, I also took enough time to look over the outgoing paperwork on your desk…”

 

That was a half-truth; I’d gone through the paperwork, yes… but only because I’d fallen out while I was in his office. I’d been lucky that nopony had found me there asleep, yet I’d had ample time to peruse the in and out boxes accordingly.

 

“… and YOU had recently put in the papers necessary to allow for something to leave the museum grounds – an old Trojan statuette, so it says – so you’d be the one who would get the special spell needed to nullify the security magic around the place.”

 

The stallion tried to back off, but I kept on the offense.

 

“This was going to be your plan to smuggle the painting out of the museum, wasn’t it? You were perfectly poised to be able to get the portrait, sneak it out of here, and then?”

 

I had him dead to rights; no turning back now. I went for the reveal.

 

”Well, what WAS your plan, Mr. Display... or should I say, Harcourt Blackwater?”

 

A slow smile began to spread across the stallion’s face, and he made a grand, sweeping bow as he stared me right in the eyes.

 

“Excellent job, Miss Hollow! I dare say that I am MOST impressed with your work; nopony else even came CLOSE to figuring me out. Might I inquire as to what tipped you off?”

 

I gave a grin of my own as I moved in nice and close, making sure that he couldn’t ditch me.

 

“First, NOPONY had ever laid eyes on Shelf Display before; that automatically placed you on the ‘suspicious list’.”

 

That had been the easy part, of course… except when I nearly fell asleep listening to ‘Mr. Display’ drone on; that had been a close one.

 

“Second, you seemed to have a bit of trouble with some of the particulars in your office when we first met; it occurred to me later that the specific troubles you were having were because you were in an office filled with right-hoofed items… and you are most certainly LEFT-hoofed – hence all the trouble.”

 

Also true – I had even done my research into Harcourt, and he most decidedly WAS left-hoofed.

 

“And third, I saw the copy of the security plans on your desk the other day, regardless of how you tried to hide them. If you had indeed been Shelf Display, then you would have already memorized the museum’s layout… especially seeing as Mr. Display has been working here for twenty years, one would think the security system would be one of the things a museum curator would have ALREADY memorized.”

 

Harcourt sighed as he closed his eyes.

 

“Well, I admit I honestly believed I’d had you stumped; far be it for me to have fooled such an intellectual equal… never mind her exquisite beauty.”

 

Celestia help me - was he HONESTLY going to attempt to charm me? He may have been a handsome stallion, but I was strictly single… and I have EVERY INTENTION of staying that way.

 

I raised a hoof before he could attempt to schmooze any further.

 

“Enough. Where is the REAL Shelf Display?”

 

I wasn’t too worried; according to this thief’s record, he wasn’t prone to hurting anypony, so I rationalized that he’d probably sent him elsewhere.

 

“Oh, Mr. Display received a very TIMELY sweepstakes win, and is currently soaking up the local culture in Canterlot – all expenses paid, you know. VERY nice thing for a hard-working curator to receive.”

 

He reached forward for my hoof, took it, and planted a kiss on it. I rolled my eyes.

 

“So this is where you arrest me, and I fall upon the tender mercies of the court, correct? Or perhaps I might possibly provide YOU with something delightful and worthwhile, madam?”

 

My smile returned as I slung the hoofcuff over the hoof he was using to hold my own.

 

“You already have… Harcourt Blackwater, you are under arrest for the theft of Princess Luna’s Royal Portrait!”

He stared at the contraption locked to his hoof, then simply put on a look that spoke volumes about how much of a care he didn’t give… which, knowing the criminal mind, meant he was probably terrified.

 

“Isn’t this lovely… I assume you mean to take me in yourself?”

 

“You bet your flank.”

 

He suddenly swept me up in an embrace, and dipped me rather low – if he thought he was gonna KISS me, he had another thing-

 

“My dear, you have LOVELY eyes.”

 

I was about to smash him in the muzzle, when he suddenly pirouetted hard, spinning rapidly, and stood me back on unsteady hooves.

 

“And I do hope they’ll be watching me for quite some time yet.”

 

I shook my head, doing my best to reorient myself… and, of course, by the time the world stopped spinning, I had an empty cuff hanging from my hoof.

 

“… crud.”

 

Well, the painting was located, the mystery solved, the culprit captured… eh, two out of three ain’t bad. Besides, it’d just get added to the thief’s already lengthy rap sheet; he’d slip up at some point, and the law would be all over him.

 

I hope I could be there to see the look on his face.

 

 

 

 

I do hope you like it.  

Wow, you're a good writer! I can only hope my art skills can compensate.

 

 

"Eh? What's this over here?"

"Nothin'. Just a picture. Of some family called 'Blackwater'."

"Sweet. I seem to remember somethin' bout them Blackwaters. Heard they weren't too nice."

"Makes sense, uh? They don't look too happy in this picture. I wonder..."

"Shut yer mouth, mate. They're long gone now. Whoever these ponies were, I bet they don't mind us diggin' through their house's rubble."

"Alright."

 

 

 

 

Edited June 18, 2016 by Melted Dog

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Melted Dog, I positively LOVE it!  

 

Thank you so very kindly for your time and effort into this absolutely adorable piece of art!

 

I bow before your creative might!  *bows humbly*

[ConcorDisparate 385]

Hey, I was wondering, do you know where I could find a precise description of Vylia ? I mean, both physically and ...mentally ? Oh, and is there anything I really need to know about her ? I am going to read the topics, though, no worries .

[Randimaxis 8,652]

https://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/vylia-blackwater-r9252

 

Here is her character sheet from the EvE Archives.

 

I always saw her as one of those haughty high-society types, but secretly she's got a kind heart - she just has an explosive temper to go with it.  Any questions you have that the link above doesn't cover, let me know!  

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Once again, I am taking the opportunity to trade... uh, whatever... for artwork!

 

Yes, technically this is me bumping this thread... but I figure putting more than simply the word 'bump' was necessary.

[chaosprincess 1,067]

Greetings Randimaxis I saw your topic and took a look at it I am not the best at drawing ponies, but I will be willing to draw a picture of Silver Studs.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Oh, wow... Silver's getting a great deal of love!

 

Okay, now comes the part where I ask you, dear @chaosprincess, what you might like in return?

 

(DON'T answer 'nothing' - this IS a Trade, after all!)

[chaosprincess 1,067]

Oh, wow... Silver's getting a great deal of love!

 

Okay, now comes the part where I ask you, dear @chaosprincess, what you might like in return?

 

(DON'T answer 'nothing' - this IS a Trade, after all!)

Sorry about the late response I will get started on her tonight and in return all I ask is just a small love story between my OC Chaos and Discord if that;s not to much to ask

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@chaosprincess, I would be more than happy to oblige you.  

 

All I would need would be either the details on Chaos, or a link to the character profile, if there is one.  Feel free to send me this info in a PM - I shall answer as soon as I am able to, and I'll get to work on it when I have the necessary details.

 

Oh, and one more thing... THANK YOU!  

[chaosprincess 1,067]

@chaosprincess, I would be more than happy to oblige you.  

 

All I would need would be either the details on Chaos, or a link to the character profile, if there is one.  Feel free to send me this info in a PM - I shall answer as soon as I am able to, and I'll get to work on it when I have the necessary details.

 

Oh, and one more thing... THANK YOU!  

Thank you again for willing to do this I did pm you some information just let me know through pm if you need anymore information.

[chaosprincess 1,067]

It took a bit, but here is the picture hope you like it Randimaxis.

 

Sorry for the lightness of some spots scanner was not working with me , but I hope you like it.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

 

@chaosprincess, I absolutely adore it!

 

I love the cliffhanger ending, and Sleepy Taps is sleepy... oh, it's wonderful, thank you!!!

[chaosprincess 1,067]

SoBeautiful.png

 

@chaosprincess, I absolutely adore it!

 

I love the cliffhanger ending, and Sleepy Taps is sleepy... oh, it's wonderful, thank you!!!

I am very glad that you like it thought I would add some humor to the picture coworkers are always jokingly stealing things while other ones are asleep hidden away lol. 

[ConcorDisparate 385]

Hey ! I started drawing some days ago, it will soon be done. Since it is a trade, there is something I'd like in exchange, I will contact you via pm about that.

So, it's done. I hope you will like it !

 

 

Please, tell me if you want to change something (it's a vector so it's easy to do), I decided to draw from this angle, and I had to imagine/change a few things.

 

EDIT: Also, I am going to bump my art thread with it, if you don't mind that. Otherwise, feel free to tell me !

Edited July 13, 2016 by ConcorDisparate

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Oh, be still my heart!  THAT IS AWESOMENESS!!!!!

 

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

 

By Luna, that's wonderful!  Oh, such an incredible piece of artwork; I certainly hope I can deliver on my end!

 

Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!!

[ConcorDisparate 385]

@@Randimaxis,

 

I'm glad you are pleased with the result !

Edited July 13, 2016 by ConcorDisparate

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Okay!

 

With many of the results above, it should be obvious by now that I am quite serious about my trades; as far as I am aware, not a single customer has gone away unsatisfied!

 

So, I put forth to the ponified masses assembled within this forum that you are welcome - indeed, encouraged - to respond to this post and allow me to find a way to entertain you for your hard work!

 

I humbly await your command, fellow Bronies and Pegasisters.

[Sweet Pen 1,348]

Hey randimaxis, i actually would love to give one of the NPCs a drawing.

If you don't mind of course

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Sweet Pen, my minding is the farthest thing from here right now - I would be honored, of course.

 

What would you like in trade?

[Sweet Pen 1,348]

@Sweet Pen, my minding is the farthest thing from here right now - I would be honored, of course.

 

What would you like in trade?

Well, anything with my OC Sweet Pen in is fine xd

Here's her page(isn't finished actually)

https://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/sweet-pen-r5530

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Hmmmmmm... I shall consider the possibilities, and create for you as soon as an idea finalizes.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Okay, I thought and thought and thought about your Ponysona, and I couldn't really come up with anything that struck me as an acceptable idea... until I really got to looking over her character sheet.

 

@Sweet Pen, I think I could edit and rewrite your OC's sheet for you.

 

I wouldn't have to change anything but the wording; it would still be the same character with the same history and everything - I'll simply dress it up a bit, as it were.

 

Would you consider this to be a fair trade?  Or shall I return to the Drawing Board?

[Sweet Pen 1,348]

Okay, I thought and thought and thought about your Ponysona, and I couldn't really come up with anything that struck me as an acceptable idea... until I really got to looking over her character sheet.

 

@Sweet Pen, I think I could edit and rewrite your OC's sheet for you.

 

I wouldn't have to change anything but the wording; it would still be the same character with the same history and everything - I'll simply dress it up a bit, as it were.

 

Would you consider this to be a fair trade?  Or shall I return to the Drawing Board?

Do you think you can do that? I would love if ya do it >.>

I'm working yet on the pic, since I wanna make it like the drawings i've posted some days ago:

With details and a good background~

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Consider it my project, then.

 

Would you prefer I PM it to you, or would you mind if I simply put it here when I'm finished?